How to Make Fresh Corn Soup

Sixty-eight days, the small white seed packet reads. It may sound like a long time to wait for something we’ve never grown before but it is for sweet corn — we have all the time to wait! There’s something about growing corn at home that intrigues and fascinates me. Dennis, who grew up in the corn belt of the great Midwest, feels the same way. He grew up eating ear after ear of corn in every meal in the summertime.

We grow lettuce and tomatoes effortlessly. Carrots and cucumbers? As easy as pie. Strawberries and blueberries? Been there, done that. But how about sweet corn? Can we grow it at home?

Well, of course, we can! I am happy to write that our foray into homegrown sweet corn was a success. It helped that Farmer Dennis has an exceptional green thumb. It helped, too, that we live in the sunny hills of Oakland, that we have a spot in our kitchen garden perfect for growing corn. It’s a rectangular plot that gets plenty of sun. It’s fitted with drip lines and has has good rich soil — thanks in part to our hardworking chickens! Our corn patch is big enough for four rows of corn, bigger than the recommended 4-by-4-foot block. The size of the plot is important because corn depends on the wind and not on bees for pollination. Grains of pollen dangling from the corn’s tassels, the male flower, must get blown and fall onto the silks attached to the ears, the female flower. Every strand of silk that gets pollinated becomes a milky kernel of corn.

We planted the seeds back in April, then harvested the ears on the Fourth of July. Fifty-three days from seed to silk, plus twenty-seven more for the ears to swell with kernels. Homegrown sweet corn is well worth the wait, I tell you. Nothing can be fresher than what’s grown at home.

Our experiment was a good first try on raising corn. We’ve learned a lot and there’s plenty of room to optimize. There’s a new crop of corn growing in our kitchen garden now. We’ve seen little green shoots emerge from the ground. We harvest sometime in October and simply cannot wait.

Let my fondness for corn be known to everyone. I love corn blanched and buttered. Sprinkled with salt, of course. A mouthwatering meld of sweet and salty. Or grilled like those peddled in the streets back home. Threaded through a bamboo skewer. Charred over hot coals.

With a serrated knife, carefully cut kernels off the cob. Measure two cups of kernels and set aside.

Remove shrimp heads, tails, and shells. Do not toss shrimp trimmings but keep them to make shrimp stock. Devein and clean shrimps with running water and chop coarsely. Set aside.

Place shrimp trimmings in a pot and add 4 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring trimmings occasionally. Crush heads with a wooden spoon to extract the flavor. Skim and discard any foam that rises to the top of the liquid. Strain the trimmings and set aside shrimp stock. Chicken or vegetable stock can be used instead of shrimp stock.

Heat vegetable oil in a pot over medium to high heat. Add garlic and stir fry until lightly browned. Add onions and stir fry until fragrant and soft. Add tomatoes and stir fry until soft.

Add shrimp, shrimp stock, and corn. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer until corn is tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat, add spinach or chili leaves, then replace the lid. Serve immediately.

Farm Cityauthor Novella Carpenter and Willow Rosenthal’sThe Essential Urban Farmer is chock-full of tips and ideas for budding urban farmers. The book is rich with material and visuals about everything from raising city vegetables and fruits to raising city animals.

We are not worthy…we are not worthy! I am SO impressed with all the things you are growing in your kitchen gardens! It’s amazing. The photo of the corn is beautifully composed- I like the wood planks in the background. And thanks for this recipe- I like the Filipino spin; the only corn soup I’ve ever is very western tasting. Have a great day!

http://debbieannecastro.blogspot.com/ Debbie

wow! I remember planting corn for a Grade 3 project. I will definitely plant corn in our Baguio home once I go back. I also love this recipe. We do a similar one but with green leafy vege. Its my lola’s cooking. We will therefore add shrimp. Shrimps are the best!

Guest

Can I use chicken instead of shrimp stock?

http://blog.junbelen.com/ Jun Belen

Yes, chicken stock can be used in place of shrimp stock.

p0lst3r

Hi Jun, I made this tonight and it turned out beautifully. I prepared the fresh shrimp stock as you did – no effort at all really – and it made all the difference, I’d say.

I briefly buzzed the handheld blender in the pot for few secs but regret doing as I lost the visual contrast between clear-ish stock, tomato and shrimp, as you have in your pic. Next time I’ll leave it alone.

I served with sides of lime, red chilli, cilantro and spring onion.

Was tempted to season with fish sauce instead of salt but think that would have affected the lovely flavor of my shrimp stock, right?

Ian

http://blog.junbelen.com/ Jun Belen

Thank you, Ian, for trying the recipe! Shrimp stock is so simple to make and it adds so much flavor to soups and stir fries. Better than bouillon cubes, for sure! Adding patis — fish sauce — is alright.